Optoelectronic sensor and method of focus adjustment

Abstract

An optoelectronic sensor is provided comprising an optics with focus adjustment, wherein the sensor has a movable carrier element having the optics and a fixed position holding element, and wherein the position of the movable carrier element is variable with respect to the holding element for an adjustment of a focal position. In this respect, at least one rolled leaf spring is arranged between the carrier element and the holding element.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for the focus adjustment of an optics of an optoelectronic sensor, wherein a movable carrier element having the optics varies its position with respect to a fixed position holding element for a setting of a focal position, and wherein the carrier element moves with respect to the holding element in that a rolled leaf spring arranged therebetween rolls on or off surfaces of the carrier element and holding element during a movement of the moveable carrier element and rotates in the course of the rolling movement, and a section of the rolled leaf spring remains in contact with the surfaces in the course of the rolling movement,
 and wherein sections of the rolled leaf spring remaining in contact with the surfaces differ in accordance with the rolling movement. 
 
     
     
       2. An optoelectronic sensor comprising an optics with focus adjustment,
 wherein the optoelectronic sensor has a movable carrier element having the optics and the optoelectronic sensor has a fixed position holding element, 
 wherein the position of the movable carrier element is variable with respect to the holding element for an adjustment of a focal position, with at least one rolled leaf spring being arranged between the carrier element and the holding element, 
 wherein the carrier element and the holding element each have a surface, 
 wherein the rolled leaf spring rolls on or off the surfaces during a movement of the movable carrier element and rotates in the course of the rolling movement, and a section of the rolled leaf spring remains in contact with the surfaces in the course of the rolling movement, 
 and wherein sections of the rolled leaf spring remaining in contact with the surfaces differ in accordance with the rolling movement. 
 
     
     
       3. The optoelectronic sensor in accordance with  claim 2 ,
 wherein the rolled leaf spring forms a ring. 
 
     
     
       4. The optoelectronic sensor in accordance with  claim 3 ,
 wherein the carrier element is movable in a direction in the plane of the ring. 
 
     
     
       5. The optoelectronic sensor in accordance with  claim 2 ,
 wherein the rolled leaf spring is fixed to the carrier element and to the holding element. 
 
     
     
       6. The optoelectronic sensor in accordance with  claim 2 ,
 wherein the rolled leaf spring has a flat outer side and the flat outer side is pressed toward the holding element and the carrier element. 
 
     
     
       7. The optoelectronic sensor in accordance with  claim 2 ,
 wherein the rolled leaf spring is clamped between the holding element and the carrier element. 
 
     
     
       8. The optoelectronic sensor in accordance with  claim 2 ,
 wherein said surfaces are parallel with one another. 
 
     
     
       9. The optoelectronic sensor in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the surfaces have a contour to exert a preload on the rolled leaf spring. 
     
     
       10. The optoelectronic sensor in accordance with  claim 2 ,
 wherein the surfaces have a contour to exert a preload on the rolled leaf spring. 
 
     
     
       11. The optoelectronic sensor in accordance with  claim 10 ,
 wherein the contour has latch positions. 
 
     
     
       12. The optoelectronic sensor in accordance with  claim 2 ,
 wherein the optoelectronic sensor has at least two holding elements and has at least two rolled leaf springs, wherein the at least two holding elements are arranged at at least two sides of the movable carrier element with a respective rolled leaf spring therebetween. 
 
     
     
       13. The optoelectronic sensor in accordance with  claim 2 ,
 wherein the carrier element has an annular outer surface and the holding element has an annular inner surface, with the carrier element being concentrically arranged in the holding element and carrying out a rotational movement by rolling off the rolled leaf springs therebetween. 
 
     
     
       14. The optoelectronic sensor in accordance with  claim 2 ,
 wherein the optoelectronic sensor comprises a light transmitter, wherein the optics is configured as a transmission optics associated with the light transmitter. 
 
     
     
       15. The optoelectronic sensor in accordance with  claim 2 ,
 wherein the optoelectronic sensor comprises a light receiver, wherein the optics is configured as a reception optics associated with the light receiver. 
 
     
     
       16. The optoelectronic sensor in accordance with  claim 2 ,
 wherein the carrier element is movably supported linearly along the optical axis of the optics by means of the rolled leaf spring.